The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-07-30
THEY DID NOT KNOW HIN
The Story of the Senator Who
Wanted to Travel.


more and more respccter OF persons,
Is the following story will show. A
Senator who sailed for Europe last week
Thought passport might be useful on
the other side. He called nj the State
Department one morning shortly before
leaving the city, and was informed that
he must apply to the chief clerk for The
passport. 1t is possible that this aristo-
cra.ic individual would have known the
Senator had he been in his office. But
he WIS out, and his more aristocratc as
sistart, who is conspicuous success as
q ..societv young man." did not know
his yi.Ntor. With the mercst glance,
and in tone of lofty Indifference, he
said: "a passport! Oh, you will have
TO GO down to the floor below, where
they are made out" The Senator turned
quietly from the young woald-be dlplo-
mats presence and by dint Of inquiry
found tie passport room. Another aris-
tocratic Young man here met his re-
quest with, want passport, do you
Well, what is your business"
By this time the Senator began to feel
interested in this exhibition of red tape
hauchtincss, and he was also aroused.
"My business" he replied. 'Reaily,
can't say that l am engaged IN busl-
ness at this time.
"Well. what is your occupation, then.
What do you do for a living: asked
tie young clerk in condescendlnS tone,
and scarcely looking up from his News
paper.
NY occupation fer the raost part is
in Congress. an Senator -.
.'Oh. 1 leg your pardon, Senator !"
exclaimed the suddenly surprised arbi-
ter Of passports, springing from his seat
with g iack- in-the-box bound and bow
ing with O State Department dignity.
Certainly, Senator. But not here.
You want special from the chief clerk.
The special passports are made out up
there. 1 am exceedingly sorry, Sena-
tor. but come this way, Senator, if you
please" and tie nov attentive, not to
saw obseqUious, young man escorted the
Senator to the door, bowling hun out
With many apologies for the "httle mis-
fake"
The Senator, more amused than ever,
made his way back TO the chief clerk S
room. where he stated that he had beea
directed to return there for his passport.
Ac,in the aristocratic assistant repeated
"You viii have to go below for your
passport. We issue only specials here. "
II believe it is special passport to-
WANT" said the Senator modeStiy.
Specials are for officials" replied
the naughty assistant, not deign:sg to
ask the name of the Senator or his buN
ness. as the young pnlln below lad done
Determined to see how long this per
Torrance would go on, the Senator
turned and quietly left the chief clerk
room. But it happeaed that visitor
lust then remarked: '"That is Senator
=. He is going abroad:
The young man who assists the chie
clerk to give dignity to the State DE
partInent flung open his little gate, anS
In less than no time was out In the hall
The Senator was overtaken before h
reached the stairway, and in breathles
embarrassment the young man SAID
"Ah, Senator -, thousand pardons
I did not recognize you, sir. Com
right in, and we will have your passpor
made out in few minutes. OF course
You want special, siri
Thank you," replied the Senator
With q sly twinkle in his eye, but pre-
tending not to see the chagriu OF tn
young clerk. 81 have never had occs
sion for one before. This is my fin
visit to the other side But 1 presum
you know what l want.
The young man did know all abcu. Il
now that he knew his visitor. He Wa
all attention, and the Senator had
wait bat few moments before the pas
port had been filed out, Signed 10y II
Secretary of State and placed In b
hands. It is likely to be something {
a lesson, and hereafter the aristocrat
assistant may de;cn to notice applicant